---

NASCAR BGN: Rady Lajoie CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 Preview

23 May 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Randy LaJoie
Driver, No. 1 Bob Evans Restaurants Chevrolet Monte Carlo
NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division
Event Preview Fact Sheet

Event: CARQUEST Auto Parts 300
Track: Lowe's Motor Speedway
Track Specs: Length -- 1.5-mile oval
FAST FACT

The Bob Evans Restaurant located on Speedway Boulevard, near the Lowe's Motor Speedway, will double their weekly food order for race week in Charlotte. A normal order for the Bob Evans Restaurant is $6,000 but will climb to $11,300 to feed hungry race fans.

LaJoie Looks Ahead to the CARQUEST Auto Parts 300:

"I've raced well there a couple of times and led the most laps there three years ago, but Charlotte is just such a hit or miss race track.

"It's one of the tracks where we really want to do well. We ran well there last fall, and I really felt comfortable with our progress.

"Charlotte is a horsepower and handling track. If one aspect of your program isn't in line, or if you miss it just a little bit, you can be 15th to 25th.

"The track also changes quite a bit with the weather. If it gets hot, the track tends to loosen the car up. But, if you get cloud cover over the track, it makes the car stick better and that means you'll be faster.

"There is also a bump between turns three and four. You can't really run down too low in the corner because you'll upset the car. It's just not as smooth as turns one and two. Each corner is really different. After running nearly 200 laps you're ready for a break."

Text provided by DeLana Linville

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.